Aerial delivery container for paratroops



April 25, 1944- w. L.. LINDsl-:Y ET AL 2,347,205

AERIAL DELIVERY CONTAINER FOR PARATROOPS Filed April 8, 1942 47- OQA/E/S Patented Apr. 25, 1944 AERIAL DELIVERY CONTAINER FOR PABATROOPS William L. Lindsey and Harry Wilson, Fort Benning, Ga.

Applicatbn April 8, 1942, Serial No. 438,099

1 Claim.

(Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 370 0. G. 757) The invention described herein may be manuiactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes, without the payment to us of any royalty thereon.

'I'his invention relates to parachute apparatus, and particularly to containers for aerial delivery of weapons and the like by dropping them from aircraft by parachute.

An object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which is strong and durable, properly arranged to provide maximum protection for its contents, and easily and quickly opened after landing.

Other objects and advantages will appear as the invention is further described, reference being made to the drawing, wherein,

Fig. 1 is a front view of the container with the sliding door closed.

Fig. 2 is a front view of the container with the sliding door open.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the drawing.

The container proper comprises a relatively light but strong vertical box in the form of a small closet with three sides IIJ of thin plywood but with thicker top and bottom. A frame l2 on the iront or open side has longitudinal grooves I4 in which the door panel I6 slides. Holes i8 are provided so that a linger hold may be had on the door to slide it open.

Reinforcing bands 20 of sheet iron surround both top and bottom and are nailed in place. A single strap 22 of sheet metal extends crosswise of the bottom midway of the front and back, then upwardly along the sides to the top where D rings 2li are attached to which the parachute risers may be connected.

As a shock absorber to cushion the contents upon impact with the ground, there is provided a thick layer of felt 26, part of the thickness of which is imbedded in a recess in the bottom member and part of which extends above it as at 28. Loose panels of wallboard 30 extend from the upper surface of the felt layer to the top member, whereby the contents of the container may be kept separated into several groups.

'I'he parachute pack 32 has its risers 34 connected to the D rings 24 by snap fasteners 36, the pack being secured to the top of the container by the usual ties 38. The pack is arranged to be opened by the static line 40 when it tautens. the free end of the line. being attached to a suitable place on the aircraft before the container is dropped.

Having described our invention, we claim:

Parachute delivery apparatus comprising, in combination, a container in the form of a small wooden closet, sheet metal bands completely surrounding said container, one at the top edge and one at the bottom edge, a U shaped sheet metal strap extending across the bottom and up the sides of the container, and secured to the top and bottom bands, rings for attaching parachute risers at the upper ends of said U shaped sheet metal strap, fastening means for a parachute pack around the upper edge of the container, a door in the front of said container slidable vertically in said sides and in back of said metal bands, whereby continuity of said bands is maintained, a thick layer of felt secured to the bottom Within said container, and loose vertical partitioning boards extending from the top of the felt layer to the top of the space within said container.

WILLIAM L. LINDSEY. HARRY WILSON'. 

